A now retired Hainan Airlines Boeing 737-300 wearing the airline's former livery

Hainan Airlines was established in October 1989 as Hainan Province Airlines in Hainan, the largest special economy zone in China. Hainan Province Airlines became China's first joint-stock air-transport company following a restructuring in January 1993 and began scheduled services on 2 May 1993. The initial 250 million yuan (US$31.25 million) was financed by the Hainan government (5.33%) and the corporate staff (20%). The rest came from institutional shareholders.[3] In 1996, the provincial airline was renamed Hainan Airlines.

American Aviation LLC, controlled by George Soros, had been a major shareholder of the airline since 1995.[4]

On 25 March 2015, HNA Group announced its intention to acquire 30 Boeing 787-9s, which are all to join the Hainan Airlines Fleet. The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to be completed by 2021.[6] Two leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft are due for delivery in Spring 2016.[7]

Hainan Airlines and the HNA Group have their headquarters in the HNA Building (S: 新海航大厦, T: 新海航大廈, P: Xīn Hǎiháng Dàshà),[8][9] in Haikou, Hainan.[10] with other office premises HNA Tower in focused cities including Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. It was previously headquartered in the HNA Development Building a.k.a. the Haihang Development Building (S: 海航发展大厦, T: 海航發展大廈, P: Hǎiháng Fāzhǎn Dàshà) along Haixiu Road in Haikou.[11][12][13]

Hainan Airlines operates several self-owned airport lounges at its main hub and focus cities including Beijing (T1 HNA Exclusive Terminal), Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Urumqi. In addition, the airline will soon open its exclusive international departure lounge at its main international hub Beijing International Airport Terminal 2. The airline also operates an exclusive Transit Lounge for transferring HNA Group passengers at Beijing Airport Non-restricted area.

Hainan Airlines has established nine airline bases in Beijing, Xi'an, Taiyuan, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Lanzhou, Dalian and Shenzhen, as well as an extensive network across the People's Republic of China, and connecting Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. It serves nearly 500 domestic and international routes and flies to more than 90 cities.

On October 23, 2015, Hainan announced two new routes. Flights to Birmingham, United Kingdom and Manchester, United Kingdom, starting in summer 2016.[20] Hainan announced the launch of a direct route between Beijing and Calgary, Canada, starting June 30, 2016.[21]